TORONTO — Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, and head coach Jason Kidd praised the Dallas Mavericks’ resilience and composure following their 125-118 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Saturday night.
The win marked the team’s seventh straight and improved their record to 16-8, good for the second-best winning percentage in the Western Conference.
Dončić Focused After Triple-Double Milestone
Dončić recorded his second consecutive triple-double, finishing with 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. It was the 79th triple-double of his career, moving him past Wilt Chamberlain and James Harden for seventh place on the NBA’s all-time list.
“Just playing basketball the way I play,” Dončić said. “We shared the ball, and even when they came back, we stayed together. That was a big thing.”
Despite the historic milestone, Dončić focused on the team’s performance and the challenges ahead.
“It’s an honor, but I’m just focused on winning,” he said. “These things happen when the team is playing well, and we’re working together.”
Dončić also highlighted the impact of Dereck Lively II, who blocked two critical shots in the game’s final minutes to secure the Mavericks’ lead.
“It was a great block,” Dončić said. “We knew it was going to be good for us, but I think he had two blocks in a row. That was huge from Lively.”
Irving Sets the Tone Early
Irving scored 16 of his 29 points in the first quarter, hitting three consecutive three-pointers to help the Mavericks build an early lead. He has been a key part of Dallas’ recent success, averaging 23.5 points over his last seven games.
“It was just time of possessions,” Irving said. “We needed to get a great shot up, but I felt like we were moving the basketball really well. When my number is called, I try to be efficient.”
Irving also pointed to the team’s chemistry and depth as key factors in their strong stretch of play.
“We’ve just been playing fearless,” he said. “There’s been carryover game to game, and we’ve been figuring out our weaknesses while building on our strengths. When everybody eats, we’re tough to stop.”
Irving commended rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who contributed 5 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists in just 10 minutes of action. Playing in front of a Canadian crowd, Prosper hit a catch-and-shoot three and provided energy off the bench.
“I’m proud of him,” Irving said. “Coming back home and playing in front of family is emotional, and he handled it really well. He made great plays, extended the lead, and brought energy.”
Kidd Praises Composure and Depth
Head coach Jason Kidd emphasized the importance of the Mavericks’ ability to stay composed as the Raptors mounted a fourth-quarter rally. Dallas led by as many as 24 points before Toronto cut the deficit to six with under two minutes remaining.
“The game got close, but nobody panicked,” Kidd said. “Everybody stepped up, made their free throws, got stops, and we moved on.”
Kidd credited Irving for setting the tone early with his first-quarter scoring outburst.
“He set the tone of, ‘We’re not here to mess around,’” Kidd said. “When your two leaders set the tone like that, you know things are going really good.”
The Mavericks’ depth was also a focal point, with six players scoring in double figures for the 10th time in the last 11 games. Kidd highlighted the contributions of Prosper and others off the bench.
“We have beautiful depth,” Kidd said. “The guys off the bench continue to make an impact, and it shows in games like these where everyone is stepping up.”
Looking Ahead
Dallas now turns its attention to Tuesday’s NBA Cup Quarterfinal against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This single-elimination tournament will determine which teams advance to the semifinals in Las Vegas.
“We know OKC well, and we’re looking forward to the competition,” Irving said. “They’re playing amazing basketball right now, and we know we’ll get their best shot.”
Kidd expressed confidence in the team’s ability to maintain its momentum through a grueling stretch of games.
“This group has done an incredible job,” Kidd said. “The schedule doesn’t stop, but we’re ready for what’s next.”
With their stars performing at a high level and their depth providing key contributions, the Mavericks are well-positioned for their next matchup and the rest of the season.
Video credit for press conferences belongs to the Dallas Mavericks.
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